Solicitation warning goes out to Ada, Cascade, GR Township residents

The Kent County Sheriff East Precinct Community Policing
Department is reminding local residents to be on the alert for illegal
soliciting.

While recent arrests have been made in numerous home break-ins, would-be
thieves sometimes use false solicitation techniques to check if someone is
home, said Deputy Ryan Roe.

"We have received information about a solicitor in Cascade Township
on Hillsboro, who was claiming to be going door-to-door to raise money for the
troops," said Roe. "The caller had some doubt that the solicitor was really
raising money for the troops and the solicitor became upset when the homeowner
questioned him."

Most organizations do not go door-to-door to raise money,
said Roe. "We have had subjects use the troops and national disasters to take
advantage of people's generosity."

Residents are reminded that solicitors in Ada, Cascade, and
Grand Rapids townships are required to have a permit from the township. The permit helps verify that the business
that the solicitor is soliciting for is in good standing.

"If a solicitor comes to your door and they do not
have a permit from the township, please call the Sheriff's Department so we can
investigate the situation," Roe said.

In addition, the East Precinct Facebook Page is reporting
that there have been a number of complaints about subjects entering unlocked
garages and cars during overnight hours. "Remember to lock your garage and not
keep valuables in your vehicle," said Roe.